By Fidel Rahmati

When Naveeda Khoshbo published her book of political analysis in 2019, she received widespread praise and recognition.

For many, “it was the first time that they were reading a book written by a young woman,” she said.

So, when she received a text message from a friend and fellow journalist in November 2024, telling her the Taliban had banned her book, she was shocked.

Khoshbo, 33, said she can’t figure out why the book, “Siyasi Jaj” or “Political Analysis,” was banned, saying “it did not address any sensitive topics.”

Published by the Peace Publish Center in Kabul, her book covers political events and processes from 2001 to 2019.

But last year it was included in a list circulated on social media of more than 400 books banned by the Taliban.

The list covers a range of topics: democracy, the arts, literature, poetry, history, religion, governance, rights and freedoms.

The Taliban’s deputy minister for the Ministry of Information and Culture, Zia-ul Haq Haqmal, told media his department had identified 400 books deemed “against Afghanistan’s national interest and Islamic values.”

‘Hostility is directed at women’

Khoshbo believes her book also was banned because it was written by a woman. She is now based in London.

“I believe their hostility is directed at women, and for them, the books written by women are the first to be targeted, regardless of their content,” she said.

About a dozen titles in the book ban are by women, or they were translated by women. Other titles include the book by Nobel laureate Malala Yousafzai, “I am Malala: The Story of the Girl Who Stood Up for Education.”

The Taliban, who seized power in August 2021, have imposed strict measures against women in Afghanistan, barring them from education, work, long-distance travel and participating in public life.

Afghan writer Nazeer Ahmad Sahaar told VOA the Taliban jettison anything they see as contrary to their ideology.

“Anything that is against the Taliban’s political and religious beliefs and narrative is banned under the Taliban,” said Sahaar.

The author has written more than a dozen books. One of those, “Waziristan: The Last Stand” is also on the list of banned publications.

Sahaar sees the book ban as part of a larger crackdown on “women, the press and freedom of expression.”

Sahaar said the ban on books, though, is of little surprise.

“It was evident that they would impose restrictions in many areas,” he said.

Alongside the book ban and restrictions imposed on women, the Taliban return has led to restrictions on freedom of expression.

Media outlets work under rules that are not always clear about what can and cannot be covered, and in some cases must submit coverage for review before publication.

The Taliban also imposed restrictions on printing books.

An owner of a printing press in the eastern province of Nangarhar, who requested anonymity for fear of reprisal, told VOA that the provincial Directorate of Information and Culture instructed publishers not to print anything without prior permission.

“In a meeting with publishers, the Taliban officials said that ‘if you are publishing any book, you must first obtain permission from the directorate,'” said the business owner.

The owner said that businesses are struggling under the Taliban, but there is an increased demand for books, particularly ones that are banned.

“The Taliban’s restrictions have sparked social and cultural resistance,” he said, with people seeking ways to oppose the limitations, including by reading prohibited books.

‘It reflects the fear’

Abdul Ghafoor Lewal, an Afghan writer and former diplomat, told VOA the Taliban’s actions reveal fear of any opposition.

“It reflects the fear authoritarian regimes have of freedom of expression, books and knowledge,” said Lewal.

Khoshbo said the Taliban’s ban would not stop her and other women from writing and participating in social and political life.

“The Taliban can’t suppress our voices by “banning books,” said Khoshbo, but “women can’t be erased from society and politics.”

Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs called Pakistan’s assertions “baseless,” in a statement Thursday.

“We categorically reject baseless allegations by Pakistani army spokesperson linking attack on a passenger train in Balochistan province with Afghanistan,” foreign ministry spokesperson Abdul Qahar Balkhi said in a statement posted on X.

Militants linked with the banned Baloch Liberation Army attacked a passenger train Tuesday near Sibi, Balochistan, taking hundreds hostage.

At least 21 passengers and four paramilitary troops died in the attack. The military claimed the killing of 33 terrorists.

During a visit to Quetta for a high-level security meeting Thursday, Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif told media 339 passengers were rescued.

Lieutenant General Ahmed Sharif Chaudhry, director general of the Pakistani military’s media wing Inter Services Public Relations, had earlier said attackers collaborated with partners in Afghanistan.

“During the operation, these terrorists were in contact with their supporters and masterminds in Afghanistan via satellite phone,” Chaudhry told a private news channel as he declared the clearance operation over Wednesday night.

Later, the military’s media wing reiterated the assertion.

“Intelligence reports have unequivocally confirmed that the attack was orchestrated and directed by terrorist ringleaders operating from Afghanistan, who were in direct communication with terrorists throughout the incident,” a statement from the ISPR said.

Rebutting the claim, Balkhi said Islamabad must address internal issues.

“[We] urge Pakistani side to focus on resolving their own security and internal problems instead of such irresponsible remarks,” the Taliban foreign ministry spokesperson said..

Tuesday’s attack marked a dramatic escalation in the separatist insurgency that has ravaged Balochistan for nearly two decades.

The militants blew up tracks, bringing the train with nearly 450 passengers to a halt in a tunnel, where they stormed it.

Survivors told VOA the attackers singled out security personnel and ethnic Punjabi passengers, shooting many.

“Pakistan expects the Interim Afghan Government to uphold its responsibilities and deny use of its soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan,” the military said in written comments to the media Wednesday, repeating an increasingly frequent demand.

On Thursday, the spokesperson for Pakistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Shafqat Ali Khan, repeated Islamabad’s stance.

“We urge Afghanistan to hold perpetrators, organizers, financiers, of this reprehensible act of terrorism accountable and cooperate with the government of Pakistan to bring all those who are concerned with this attack, including the real sponsors of terrorism, to justice,” Khan told media at the weekly briefing.

Balkhi rejected the allegation that Baloch separatists have put down roots across the border.

“No members of Balouch opposition have presence in Afghanistan, nor have they ever had or have any links with the Islamic Emirate,” Balkhi said in his post on X. The Taliban refer to their government as the Islamic Emirate.

Pakistan has seen a sharp increase in terrorism in the last year, with deaths rising by nearly 45% in 2024 from the year before.

The country now ranks second on the Global Terrorism Watchlist with Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, an ideological offshoot of the Afghan Taliban, and the separatist Baloch Liberation Army emerging as the deadliest outfits.

Speaking at a United Nations Security Council meeting on Afghanistan this week, Pakistan’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Munir Akram, said Kabul was failing to rein in Baloch separatists.

“The Kabul authorities have failed to address the threat posed to the region and beyond by other terrorist groups, such as al Qaida, the TTP and Baloch terrorists, including the BLA and the Majeed Brigade, which are present in Afghanistan,” the Pakistani envoy said Monday.